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Multiple-Meaning Words

A multiple-meaning word is spelled and said the same way but means different things: a bat flies at night, and you hit a ball with a bat. Context is the only clue, which is why these words are such good reading practice.

Here are 120 multiple-meaning words from past ClueBy puzzles, each with a real example sentence for every meaning. Use them as a reference, or make a printable worksheet below.

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Students read each sentence and write the missing word. Every word appears in several sentences, each time with a different meaning.

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Multiple-Meaning Words

Name: ____________________Date: __________

Write the missing word in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

  1. We had a fire ________________ at school today.
  2. The soldiers did ________________ on the parade ground every morning.
  3. I need a ________________ to install the towel rack.
  4. I'll be taking the ________________.
  5. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  6. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  7. The tickets are free of ________________.
  8. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  9. That was ________________ to happen.
  10. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  11. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  12. The King held a masked ________________.
  13. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  14. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  15. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  16. Where did you ________________ them?
  17. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  18. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  19. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  20. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  21. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  22. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  23. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  24. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.

Sentences from ClueBy, Tatoeba (CC BY 2.0 FR) and Common Voice (CC0). clueby.com

Answer key

  1. drill — a practice
  2. drill — army training
  3. drill — the tool
  4. tube — the underground
  5. bound — obliged
  6. firm — a company
  7. charge — a price
  8. ball — a great time
  9. bound — certain
  10. firm — steady
  11. fan — a supporter
  12. ball — a dance
  13. charge — in control
  14. firm — decided
  15. fan — to cool the air
  16. mug — to rob
  17. tube — in a tire
  18. mug — a cup
  19. mug — a face
  20. tube — a container
  21. charge — electricity
  22. bound — tied together
  23. ball — a round shape
  24. fan — a supporter

Multiple-meaning words list

Tick up to 10 words to build a worksheet with just those words.

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Frequently asked questions

What are multiple-meaning words?

Words with the same spelling and pronunciation but more than one meaning, like bark (of a dog or of a tree) or bank (for money or of a river). You can only tell which meaning is meant from the rest of the sentence.

Are multiple-meaning words the same as homonyms?

Mostly, yes. Teachers often use "multiple-meaning words" and "homonyms" for the same idea. Homophones are different: they sound alike but are spelled differently, like flour and flower.

Are the worksheets free?

Yes. Make and print as many as you like for home or classroom use. Each sheet has its own link, so you can print the same one again.

Where do the words come from?

From past ClueBy puzzles, a daily game where you sort twelve sentences by their missing word. A new puzzle every day adds four more words to this list.

Sentences from ClueBy, Tatoeba (CC BY 2.0 FR) and Common Voice (CC0). clueby.com